GB1566554A - Electrical connectors - Google Patents

Electrical connectors Download PDF

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Publication number
GB1566554A
GB1566554A GB43317/75A GB4331775A GB1566554A GB 1566554 A GB1566554 A GB 1566554A GB 43317/75 A GB43317/75 A GB 43317/75A GB 4331775 A GB4331775 A GB 4331775A GB 1566554 A GB1566554 A GB 1566554A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
clip
tag
wire
wires
tangs
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
GB43317/75A
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Post Office
Original Assignee
Post Office
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Post Office filed Critical Post Office
Priority to GB43317/75A priority Critical patent/GB1566554A/en
Publication of GB1566554A publication Critical patent/GB1566554A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R11/00—Individual connecting elements providing two or more spaced connecting locations for conductive members which are, or may be, thereby interconnected, e.g. end pieces for wires or cables supported by the wire or cable and having means for facilitating electrical connection to some other wire, terminal, or conductive member, blocks of binding posts
    • H01R11/11—End pieces or tapping pieces for wires, supported by the wire and for facilitating electrical connection to some other wire, terminal or conductive member
    • H01R11/12—End pieces terminating in an eye, hook, or fork
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/10—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation effected solely by twisting, wrapping, bending, crimping, or other permanent deformation
    • H01R4/18—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation effected solely by twisting, wrapping, bending, crimping, or other permanent deformation by crimping
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/24—Connections using contact members penetrating or cutting insulation or cable strands

Landscapes

  • Clamps And Clips (AREA)

Description

(54) ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS (71) We, THE POST OFFICE, a British body corporate established by Statute, of 23 Howland Street, London, W6P 6HQ, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to electrical connectors adapted to be crimped around one or more insulated wires and, more particularly, to connectors which are suitabIe for jointing or terminating the individual wires of multi-wire cables used in the telecommunications industry.
Various connectors in the form of crimping clips are known and known also are jointing machines which will crimp such a connector around two wires and thereby effect a joint between them. It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector which, in addition to being suitable for jointing or terminating insulated wires, also facilitates the making of an external electrical connection to the joint or termination.
The present invention provides a crimping clip for electrical connection to one or more insulated wires, the clip comprising an electrically-conductive trough-shaped portion having wire-engaging means for clamping and electrically-contacting the or each wire when the clip is crimped around the latter, an electrically-conductive tag extending from one end of the troughshaped portion, and a separate stiffening member extending over part at least of the tag.
The tag of a clip in accordance with the invention may include a narroweddown neck portion by which the remainder of the tag is connected to the troughshaped portion of the clip; in this case, the stiffening member extends over at least the neck portion of the tag. The tag may include securing means for maintaining the stiffening member in position: these securing means may, for example, be projecting portions which are bent around the stiffening member.
In a clip as provided by the present invention, the tag facilitates the making of an external connection to a termination or joint formed by crimping the clip around one or more wires. The tag may include a portion which is suitably shaped for this purpose, for example a ring-shaped or bifurcated portion.
The wire-engaging means of the clip may include inwardly-projecting tangs in the base and/or side walls of the troughshaped portion, which tangs clamp and/ or electrically-contact the wire(s) when the clip is crimped around the latter. Alternatively, or in addition, the wire-engaging means may include at least one tongue struck up from the base of the troughshaped portion to electrically-contact the wires. These, or other upstanding members in the base may be provided to maintain the wires in a spaced, aligned relationship while the clip is being crimped.
By way of example, a clip constructed in accordance with the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which Fig. 1 is an exploded view of the clip, partly broken away; Fig. 2 shows the assembled clip partly broken away; and Fig. 3 illustrates schematically a strip of clips.
The clip shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises an electrically-conductive troughshaped portion 1 having a base 2 and upstanding side walls 3, and an integrallyformed electrically conductive tag 4 extending from one end of the base.
The base 2 and side walls 3 of the troughshaped portion - are pierced to provide in wardly-projecting tangs 5 and, in addition, triangular portions 6 are struck up from the base. Some of the tangs 5 are planished to reduce their height: those that are not planished have a series of sharp points and, together together with the planished tangs and the triangular portions 6 they constitute wire-engaging means for clamping and electrically contacting one or more wires which are to be jointed to the clip, as will be described below.
The tag 4 is provided to enable an external electrical connection to be made from the clip to, for example, an upstanding post. To this end, the tag 4 has a portion 7 (which is shown as ring-shaped but may be bifurcated or have any other suitable shaping) joined to the base 2 by a narrowed-down neck portion 8. A stiffening member 9 is provided to increase the strength of the tag, the stiffening member being a separatelpformed item having the same shape as the tag 4, as shown in Fig. 1, which in use is clamped to the tag by projections 10 located around the edge of the tag and bent over the stiffening member as shown in Fig. 2, The stiffening member 9 need not extend over the whole of the tag 4 and could, for example, extend over the neck portion 8 only.
When the clip is used to joint two insulating wires, the latter are placed in the trough-shaped portion 1 of the clip so that they lie parallel to each other and extend from the clip at the end remote from the tag 4. The wires are positioned to lie one on eah side of the triangular portions 6 in the base of the clip and the clip is then crimped by bending the side walls 3 in wardly to trap the wires. As the clip is crimped, the sharp points of tangs 5 which have not been planished pierce the insulation of the wires, thereby gripping the wire and making electrical contact with the conductor. The planished tangs on the other hand do not pierce the insulation, but grip the wires without any appreciable weakening of the latter. The triangular portions 6 in the base of the clip ensure that the wires are set in the correct positions in the clip and also assist in trapping the wires by penetrating the insulation and making electrical contact with the conductors.
It will be appreciated that the particular type and arrangement of wire engaging means shown in Fig. 1 and 2 (that is, tangs 5 and triangular portions 6) is not essential and that any other suitable form of wire engaging means could be employed. Other suitable arrangements are described in.
for example, British Patent Specifications Nos. 1,179,715; 1,336,562 and 1,382,811.
Clips of the type shown in Figs. 1 and 2 may, except for the stiffening members 9, be manufactured in strip form as illustrated schematically in Fig. 3 from which the tangs 5 and triangular portions 6 of the clip have been omitted. This Figure also illustrates the provision of an outer covering 11 of electrically insulating material for the clips: the covering is in the form of a continuous strip of plastics material, which is generally channel-shaped with cutaway portions 12 which allow for access to the ring-shaped portions 7 of the clips and also provide weakened zones which facilitate clip separation. In an alternative arrangement, the outer covering is still in the form of a continuous strip but the metal clips are spaced separately within the strip. It will be appreciated, however, that an insulating outer covering is not an essential feature and also that the use of such a covering is not restricted to clips manufactured in strip form.
The clip described above, particularly when manufactured in strip form as shown in Fig. 3, is intended for use in a crimping machine which in addition to applyng the required bending forces to the side walls 3 of the clip, would advantageously provide features such as a wire trimming mechanism and a continuous-action clip feed mechanism.
WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A crimping clip for electrical con nection to one or more insulated wires, the clip comprising an electrically-conductive trough-shaped portion having wire-engaging means for clamping and electrically-contacting the or each wire when the clip is crimped around the latter, an electrically- conductive tag extending from one end of the trough-shaped portion, and a separate stiffening member extending over part at least of the tag 2, A clip as claimed in claim 1, in which the tag includes a narrowed-down neck portion by which the remainder of the tag is connected to the trough-shaped portion, and in which the stiffening. member extends over- at least the neck portion of the tag 3. A clip as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the tag includes securing means for maintaining the stiffening member in position.
4. A clip as claimed in claim 3, in which the securing means comprise projections on the tag, which projections are bent ovet the stiffening member.
5. A clip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the tag extending from one end of the trough-shaped portion is shaped to enable an external electrical connection to be made to the termination or joint formed by crimping the clip around one or more wires.
6. A clip as claimed in claim 5, in
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (1)

  1. **WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.
    wardly-projecting tangs 5 and, in addition, triangular portions 6 are struck up from the base. Some of the tangs 5 are planished to reduce their height: those that are not planished have a series of sharp points and, together together with the planished tangs and the triangular portions 6 they constitute wire-engaging means for clamping and electrically contacting one or more wires which are to be jointed to the clip, as will be described below.
    The tag 4 is provided to enable an external electrical connection to be made from the clip to, for example, an upstanding post. To this end, the tag 4 has a portion 7 (which is shown as ring-shaped but may be bifurcated or have any other suitable shaping) joined to the base 2 by a narrowed-down neck portion 8. A stiffening member 9 is provided to increase the strength of the tag, the stiffening member being a separatelpformed item having the same shape as the tag 4, as shown in Fig. 1, which in use is clamped to the tag by projections 10 located around the edge of the tag and bent over the stiffening member as shown in Fig. 2, The stiffening member 9 need not extend over the whole of the tag 4 and could, for example, extend over the neck portion 8 only.
    When the clip is used to joint two insulating wires, the latter are placed in the trough-shaped portion 1 of the clip so that they lie parallel to each other and extend from the clip at the end remote from the tag 4. The wires are positioned to lie one on eah side of the triangular portions 6 in the base of the clip and the clip is then crimped by bending the side walls 3 in wardly to trap the wires. As the clip is crimped, the sharp points of tangs 5 which have not been planished pierce the insulation of the wires, thereby gripping the wire and making electrical contact with the conductor. The planished tangs on the other hand do not pierce the insulation, but grip the wires without any appreciable weakening of the latter. The triangular portions 6 in the base of the clip ensure that the wires are set in the correct positions in the clip and also assist in trapping the wires by penetrating the insulation and making electrical contact with the conductors.
    It will be appreciated that the particular type and arrangement of wire engaging means shown in Fig. 1 and 2 (that is, tangs 5 and triangular portions 6) is not essential and that any other suitable form of wire engaging means could be employed. Other suitable arrangements are described in.
    for example, British Patent Specifications Nos. 1,179,715; 1,336,562 and 1,382,811.
    Clips of the type shown in Figs. 1 and 2 may, except for the stiffening members 9, be manufactured in strip form as illustrated schematically in Fig. 3 from which the tangs 5 and triangular portions 6 of the clip have been omitted. This Figure also illustrates the provision of an outer covering 11 of electrically insulating material for the clips: the covering is in the form of a continuous strip of plastics material, which is generally channel-shaped with cutaway portions 12 which allow for access to the ring-shaped portions 7 of the clips and also provide weakened zones which facilitate clip separation. In an alternative arrangement, the outer covering is still in the form of a continuous strip but the metal clips are spaced separately within the strip. It will be appreciated, however, that an insulating outer covering is not an essential feature and also that the use of such a covering is not restricted to clips manufactured in strip form.
    The clip described above, particularly when manufactured in strip form as shown in Fig. 3, is intended for use in a crimping machine which in addition to applyng the required bending forces to the side walls 3 of the clip, would advantageously provide features such as a wire trimming mechanism and a continuous-action clip feed mechanism.
    WHAT WE CLAIM IS:
    1. A crimping clip for electrical con nection to one or more insulated wires, the clip comprising an electrically-conductive trough-shaped portion having wire-engaging means for clamping and electrically-contacting the or each wire when the clip is crimped around the latter, an electrically- conductive tag extending from one end of the trough-shaped portion, and a separate stiffening member extending over part at least of the tag 2, A clip as claimed in claim 1, in which the tag includes a narrowed-down neck portion by which the remainder of the tag is connected to the trough-shaped portion, and in which the stiffening. member extends over- at least the neck portion of the tag 3. A clip as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the tag includes securing means for maintaining the stiffening member in position.
    4. A clip as claimed in claim 3, in which the securing means comprise projections on the tag, which projections are bent ovet the stiffening member.
    5. A clip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the tag extending from one end of the trough-shaped portion is shaped to enable an external electrical connection to be made to the termination or joint formed by crimping the clip around one or more wires.
    6. A clip as claimed in claim 5, in
    which the tag extending from one end of the trough-shaped portion includes a portion which is ring-shaped or bifurcated to enable the said electrical connection to be made.
    7. A clip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the wire-engaging means include inwardly-projecting tangs in the base and/or side walls of the troughshaped portion, which tangs clamp and/or electrically-contact the wire(s) when the clip is crimped around the latter.
    8. A clip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the wire engaging means include at least one tongue struck up from the base of the troughshaped portion to electrically-contact the wire(s) when the clip is crimped around the latter.
    9. A clip as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, including at least one upstanding member in the base of the troughshaped portion arranged to maintain the position of the wire(s) while the clip is being crimped around the latter.
    10. A clip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the troughshaped portion at least has an outer covering of an electrically-insulating material.
    11. A crimping clip for electrical connection to one or more insulated wires, the clip being substantially as described herein with reference to, and as illustrated by, Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing.
GB43317/75A 1976-10-07 1976-10-07 Electrical connectors Expired GB1566554A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB43317/75A GB1566554A (en) 1976-10-07 1976-10-07 Electrical connectors

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB43317/75A GB1566554A (en) 1976-10-07 1976-10-07 Electrical connectors

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB1566554A true GB1566554A (en) 1980-05-08

Family

ID=10428237

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB43317/75A Expired GB1566554A (en) 1976-10-07 1976-10-07 Electrical connectors

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB1566554A (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0777299A3 (en) * 1995-12-01 1998-06-03 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Mounting structure of terminal fitting
EP1650831A1 (en) * 2004-10-22 2006-04-26 Mecatraction Cable lug for an electrical connection comprising a reduced section

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0777299A3 (en) * 1995-12-01 1998-06-03 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Mounting structure of terminal fitting
US5865637A (en) * 1995-12-01 1999-02-02 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Mounting structure of terminal fitting
EP1650831A1 (en) * 2004-10-22 2006-04-26 Mecatraction Cable lug for an electrical connection comprising a reduced section
FR2877149A1 (en) * 2004-10-22 2006-04-28 Mecatraction Sa TERMINAL FOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTION COMPRISING AN AMINCI STRING

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PS Patent sealed
746 Register noted 'licences of right' (sect. 46/1977)
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee